Corbin, Maxwell square off for Schroder's former seat

Candidates for the 155th District Becky Corbin and Josh Maxwell offer different backgrounds to voters.

The seat for the State’s House of Representatives is being sought after by the two candidates as an open seat since Rep. Curt Schroder resigned from office on May 6.

Corbin, the Republican

“I’m running as a candidate in this district because I want to improve the quality of life for residents in this district,” said Corbin, who lives in East Brandywine. “I’ve lived in Chester County for many years, I love living in Chester County.”

Corbin, 59, cited her 21 years of experience in dealing with local and state governments as an asset to district constituents.

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Corbin said that if elected, her focus would be on the issues that affect the residents, primarily on improving the economy.

“Pennsylvania ranks as one of the least business-friendly states in which to do business,” said Corbin. “If we’re going to improve the economy, get people back to work, give them some jobs, we have to reduce the business taxes.”

According to Corbin, the state’s business tax ought to be lowered to the national average, which she thinks would encourage more businesses to find a home in Pennsylvania, and businesses already in the state will be able to grow. Corbin also said that she hopes to limit the locations where civil lawsuits can be tried.

“There are industries in the county (that) we need to protect,” she said. “We need to protect them and nurture them.”

And while Corbin hopes to encourage business growth, she is also taking a look at where to cut spending. Corbin also noted the need for pension reform, such as with the Public School Employees Retirement System.

“People need to tighten their belts in all walks of life: education, businesses, your own family and budget,” said Corbin. “I’m a frugal person, I’ve always been a frugal person, and I’m very careful about spending money. We need to cut back on the spending, everybody needs to cut down on the spending.”

Recently, Corbin resigned from her position as a legislative aide to Schroder, where she had been working since January 1995. She also worked as a consultant to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority from October 1992 to March 2003; as a district aide to Rep. Jim Gerlach from April 1991 to December 1994; and as a forensic chemist in Virginia from August 1974 to March 1982, a job which she says helped her develop analytical skills.

“I know the residents of the district, I have worked with the issues of this district for many, many years, and I have the experience,” said Corbin. “I think what it boils down to is experience. Because of that experience I’ve had an ongoing communication with the people of the district. I know them and they know me.”

Maxwell, the Democrat

According to Maxwell, current mayor of the Borough of Downingtown, his experiences and perspective come from the majority of his life spent in the district and the work he has put in while there.

“I grew up in this district, I went to Downingtown School District, and I believe I understand the values of the people living here,” said Maxwell. “I’ve been the mayor of Downingtown for three years. One thing I learned in Downingtown, you can accomplish great things by working together.”

One of the primary issues that he said needs to be addressed for not only the district but also the state are its tax rates.

“Our corporate tax rates are too high, and our natural gas taxes are too low,” he said. “In states that have natural gas, they tax it and that’s how they’re able to keep corporate taxes low. In Pennsylvania it’s the reverse and it’s not a good tax structure.”

Maxwell, 29, said his efforts in the borough have helped revitalize the Downingtown Main Street Association. He said he has worked to encourage public participation in government for people of all ages, including working with the borough’s student legislative council, which offers high school students the opportunity to advise borough council members on issues from a younger perspective.

Maxwell said that while he has made mistakes in the past, he has learned from them.

According to state police, Maxwell was pulled over on Aug. 20, 2011, at 2:10 a.m., at a routine sobriety checkpoint in West Bradford Township, where he failed field sobriety tests. Maxwell completed the Alternative Rehabilitative Disposition Program earlier this year. Completion of the program results in no jail time, a reduction in driver’s license suspension, and charges expunged from a criminal record.

Maxwell said that since his completion of the program, he does not consider the incident an issue in this election, and that voters he has spoken to have not brought the matter up.

Maxwell said that as mayor, he has worked with Borough Council and has seen them work to maintain a balanced budget while keeping taxes low, in spite of political differences. Borough council is the main borough government, although its mayor can cast a tie-breaking vote.

Maxwell was elected mayor in 2009, becoming the youngest person to fill the position in Downingtown’s history. The mayor’s responsibilities include overseeing the police department, and he or she also works as a goodwill ambassador for the borough.

“My job is to get things done for the people who elected me,” said Maxwell. “As mayor I see how important it is to work together. We need someone on the other side to share that vision.”